Gear Reviews

REAL-WORLD ASSESSMENTS OF RECORDING EQUIPMENT BY WORKING PROFESSIONALS.

  • NO. 168

    Apogee Digital: Symphony Studio 2x12 interface

    REVIEWED BY Adam Kagan

    Apogee has long provided a range of audio professionals with tailored interface choices, from the portable Duet [Tape Op#150] and Symphony Desktop [#142] to the flagship Symphony I/O Mk II [#140]. Their latest addition, the Symphony Studio series, smartly fills the gap with single rack space interfaces...

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  • NO. 168

    Soundtoys: Space Blender Reverb plug-in

    REVIEWED BY Larry Crane

    I love effects that take a sound, morph and modulate it, creating whole new textures. Valhalla's Shimmer [Tape Op#111] plug-in has been a favorite of mine for creating Brian Eno [#85] soundscapes out of almost anything. I'm always on the lookout for any tools that feature various ways to drench...

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  • NO. 168

    Wolff Audio: FREQ 500 Series 4-band EQ

    REVIEWED BY Andy Hong

    Each year, more examples of vintage-inspired EQs, compressors, preamps, and mics are made available. Big-name brands, as well as boutique manufacturers, seem to think we all have an endless appetite for clones of classic gear. Consequently, contemporary designs of bread-and-butter products are rarely...

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  • NO. 168

    PSPaudioware: DRC plug-in

    REVIEWED BY Garrett Haines

    The PSPaudioware DRC dynamic range controller is one of the most noteworthy plug-ins I have seen in a long time. Using the dbx 118 Dynamic Range Enhancer as a foundation, the DRC is neither a clone nor an emulation. Enhanced controls offer users deeper adjustments than the original, however, the extra...

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  • NO. 168

    Gamechanger Audio: Motor Synth MkII

    REVIEWED BY Dana Gumbiner

    The Motor Synth MkII from Gamechanger Audio is, by some margin, the most original synthesizer design I've seen (and heard!) in some time. It's a desktop unit that generates audio waveforms via its eight variable-speed internal drone motors – that's "drone" as in UAS/UAV/quadcopter....

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  • NO. 168

    Hendyamps & Brainworx: The Oven analog processor & plug-in

    REVIEWED BY Joe Finocchio

    On some level, everyone is susceptible to the dreaded panacea syndrome when it comes to adding tools to their workflow. “If I only had this one piece of gear, all my problems would be solved!” The Oven “Mojo Box” analog processor by Hendyamps and its plug-in counterpart by Brainworx (distributed by...

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  • NO. 168

    Newfangled Audio: Articulate transient plug-in

    REVIEWED BY Larry Crane

    When I try to teach what compression is and how to use it, I'll always use the "shape of a waveform through time" as a way to explain what compression can do. In the synthesizer world, this is referred to as the "envelope," which includes four stages of modulation: Attack, decay,...

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  • NO. 168

    AKG : C414 XLS microphone

    REVIEWED BY Geoff Stanfield

    The ubiquitous AKG C414 mic has been manufactured in various forms since 1971. I’ve reviewed the modern day C414 XLII [Tape Op#154] and given it high marks, so when the opportunity to check out its sibling microphone, the C414 XLS, came up, I jumped at the chance. Both of these large diaphragm multi-pattern...

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  • NO. 168

    Lewitt Audio: Space Replicator plug-in

    REVIEWED BY Adam Kagan

    LEWITT, the respected Austrian manufacturer known for its microphones and audio interfaces, has released its first plug-in: Space Replicator. Designed for headphone use, Space Replicator lets users experience how their audio would sound when played through speakers in various virtual environments. Unlike...

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  • NO. 168

    Bitwig: Connect 4/12

    REVIEWED BY Dana Gumbiner

    The Bitwig Connect 4/12 is a versatile desktop audio USB-C interface that provides four inputs and twelve outputs, along with CV (control voltage) I/O and MIDI capabilities. It also sports some cool monitor and DAW control features, not to mention a special Bitwig Mode that sets it apart when used with...

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  • NO. 167

    Soyuz Microphones: The Launcher Deluxe stereo in-line preamp

    REVIEWED BY Stefan Konstantopoulos

    My first experience with Soyuz products in 2021 was brief but memorable. I still recall the smooth, rich sound of the 017 FET condenser and its distinctive aesthetic heirloom-quality construction. When I heard about The Launcher Deluxe, I wondered if it could offer the classy vintage vibe and meticulous...

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  • NO. 167

    SPL: Phonitor 3 DAC headphone amp & monitor controller

    REVIEWED BY Tony Vincent

    A couple of years ago, I moved my studio, SoundShop370, from Manhattan to South Nashville. Since then, I’ve been refining my setup, making sure every piece of gear I use is intentional, functional, high-quality, and built for long-term reliability. Headphones have always played a role in my workflow,...

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  • NO. 167

    Audeze: LCD-S20 closed-back headphones

    REVIEWED BY Geoff Stanfield

    I have been a big fan of Audeze headphones for years and have enjoyed auditioning and reviewing almost everything in their line. Their open-back LCD-X [Tape Op#119] and MM-500 headphones are used daily in my studio for mixing, and I recommend them to anyone looking for an accurate playback complement...

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  • NO. 167

    Drawmer: Drawmer: MQ-1 and MQ-2 Equalisers

    REVIEWED BY Garrett Haines

    One afternoon at a TapeOpCon, I was debating equalizers with Rupert Neve [Tape Op #26, #87] when hotel staff endeavored to move four loads of folding tables in a single trip. Basically, a seven-foot Jenga on wheels. Upon taking the corner too fast, the whole thing went caddywompus faster than I...

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  • NO. 167

    Audio-Technica: ATH-R70xa, ATH-R50x, ATH-R30x open-back headphones

    REVIEWED BY Andy Hong

    I’m going to start this review describing an exemplary unboxing experience, which speaks to Audio-Technica’s all-encompassing attention to detail. All three models of the company’s R-Series open-back headphones are packaged in precisely-assembled cardboard boxes. The ATH-R30x and ATH-R50x models unveil...

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  • NO. 167

    API: API: ASM164 Analog Summing Mixer

    REVIEWED BY Kurt Kurasaki

    Automated Processes, Incorporated, popularly known as API, has a rich history spanning over half a century. Since their first consoles were installed in 1967, API has developed new technologies, established important pro audio standards, and contributed to the production of many great records. Building...

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  • NO. 167

    AMS Neve: 88C VCA dual compressor/limiter

    REVIEWED BY Daniel Ryan Morse

    VCA compressors are generally fast. Almost any other observation about them would depend on which one you’re talking about. Some are fairly transparent while nonetheless adding excitement to sources. Others – I’m thinking primarily of the API 2500 bus compressor [Tape Op#52] and the dbx 160 – are sought...

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  • NO. 167

    AEA: 1029 VCA compressor

    REVIEWED BY Scott McDowell

    I was delightfully surprised when I happened upon the new 1029Stereo VCA Compressor from AEA. Isn’t the company best known for its great collection of ribbon mics? AEA’s incredible mics are a 21st century studio standard. My partners and I have eight of their ribbons living in our mic closet right now....

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  • NO. 168

    Dante Fumo, editor: Harmonic Content (magazine)

    REVIEWED BY Larry Crane

    Subtitled a zine about sound, this mag includes a wide array of people and thoughts and features an arty screen-printed cover. Within its 21 pages, the first issue has an interview with Tape Op pal Matt Boudreau of Working Class Audio, an article with Kirsten Izer and Randy Belculfine discussing "Healthy...

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